TOWN & COUNTRY
48 hours in White County.
The swamps around Bald Knob beg to be explored.
Good Eats
Don’t miss these off-the-highway treats.
Bulldog Restaurant, Bald Knob
A drive-in just like you remember serving up comfort food and frozen treats. It doesn’t matter what you bagged on a hunting trip, as long as that bag contains a milkshake and double cheeseburger from this Bald Knob landmark.
Chit Chat and Chew, Searcy
This local diner, situated right on the downtown square, is long on nostalgia and short on pretense. Any burger on the menu here is great, as are the sandwiches. Service with a smile is on the house.
The Soda Jerk, Searcy
Tasty Loblolly ice cream is served up daily in this family-owned ice cream shop. If you’re not in a sugary mood, replace it with the great coffee and artisan coffee drinks. The caffeine will do you good.
Who Dat’s, Bald Knob
There’s no reason why Who Dat’s should reside in Bald Knob, but thank goodness it does. Enjoy shrimp, crab, frog legs, gator and more along with all your Cajun favorites. How it got here is anyone’s guess, but why it’s lasted is obvious.
Wild Sweet William, Searcy
We’ll say it: The oatmeal cookie at WSW is worth the drive from anywhere in the state, and that’s just one thing in the display case. In what might be the best little bakery in Arkansas, everything is fantastic, which is why you have to get there early. You’ve been warned.
If you’re looking for a day trip featuring the best of in-town and wild adventures, check out White County. If you haven’t been here lately, or you’ve just seen it from the highway, you’re missing out on most of what this thriving area has to offer.
The county’s largest community, Searcy, sits where the River Valley and Delta meet the Arkansas Plateau, providing a variety of outdoor diversions to enjoy. Within the city itself is an extensive network of parks providing refreshing green space right in the middle of things. Or you can go rustic with Riverside Park’s 100 acres of nature and views over the bluff.
Fishing is another big draw here, thanks to the nearby Little Red River. It may not get the publicity of other waterways for trout, but a world record brown was caught here in 1992, a 40-pound, 4-ounce monster that held the title until 2013. Find your spot between nearby Greers Ferry and Pangburn for either boat or wading fishing. Or, take a guided tour through Sore Lip ’em All, founded by Jeff Smith, creator of the Trout Magnet.
Searcy also offers miles of hiking and biking trails, starting in town and radiating out for 20 miles. Some recommended routes include the family-friendly nature trail at Riverside Park, which meanders down the side of a ridge to the Searcy Landing access to the Little Red River. The overlook along the 1-mile trail is a great place for a selfie or family photo.
Outside of Searcy itself, there are plenty more outdoor attractions within a one-hour drive. The Big Creek Natural Area, managed by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, lies just 23 miles north of town, offering two hiking trails: the Creek Trail (0.75-mile round trip) and Overlook Trail (1.75-mile round trip) offering a view of the Big Creek rapids from a high bluff.
Just 15 minutes up the road is a hunter’s paradise, Bald Knob and its nearby wildlife management areas. The plats include the Bald Knob Refuge, Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA and Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA, all within a short drive of Bald Knob. The area is renowned for its deer and duck hunting.
Another prime area for all things outdoors is Augusta, Arkansas, perched on the White River. (Yeah, we know, it’s Woodruff County, roll with it.) Just 30 minutes from Searcy, Augusta is home to the Mallard Masters duck hunting competition in December. It also offers prime fishing, deer and duck hunting and even the occasional snapping turtle for the taking. Or, put out a canoe or kayak in the Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA and check out the prehistoric cypress or float the Cache River. Drop in on the folks at Mighty White Marine for directions and local advice.
Whatever you love in the Arkansas outdoors, White County and Co. is a gem waiting to be discovered.
